With training camp in full swing and the preseason upon us, Last Word on Pro Football is breaking down the schedules of all 32 NFL teams. This series will consist of the most difficult (1-8) and easiest (9-16) games among each team’s 16-game slate. The focus for this article is the eight easiest games on the 2019 Jacksonville Jaguars schedule.
The toughest games on the 2019 Jaguars schedule.
The Jacksonville Jaguars Easiest Games of 2019
9. Week 17: vs Indianapolis Colts
This game is the first on the list of “easiest games” for 2019. This match up should by no means be easy. In fact, it could have important playoff implications as it is the last regular-season game for the Jags. But let’s remember the home game against the Indianapolis Colts from 2018. The Jags defense was staunch as they forced a shutout. The game ended 6-0 and the Jags won despite a lethargic offense.
10. Week Nine: vs Houston Texans (London)
This match up against the division foe Houston Texans is a “home” game in London. It’s a game that has to have many season ticket holders angry. Yes, the Jags have been playing one home game in London for years, but this one is a divisional game. Let’s hope for a lot of support from the London crowd. This game happens to be the last one before the bye week. It will be the third divisional game of the season and perhaps an important one for head coach Doug Marrone, should the team be struggling.
11. Week Five: at Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers had a strong start to the 2018 season. At 6-2, it looked as if they were poised for a playoff run. But Cam Newton‘s absence sent their season into a tailspin. Of course, this is a new year and Newton appears to be healthy for now. The Panthers could be a formidable opponent, especially on defense with the likes of Luke Kuechly. The Jags front seven will definitely need to play strong in order to stop Christian McCaffrey and the rest of the Carolina offense. This won’t be an easy game, but it could be one of the more favorable matchups of the first half of the season.
12. Week Four: at Denver Broncos
Though it’s an away game, the week four match up against the Denver Broncos could be a welcome one. The first three games of the season for the Jags could be brutal as they face two 2018 playoff teams as well as playing two divisional rivals. Joe Flacco may be a Super Bowl-winning signal-caller, but his prime is past. I expect the Jags defense to play strong in this game with many opportunities for turnovers.
13. Week Seven: at Cincinnati Bengals
The Cincinnati Bengals will have Andy Dalton back this year after his thumb injury last season. The Bengals also have a new head coach in Zac Taylor. Will the former assistant to Sean McVay bring fire to the Cincinnati offense? That remains to be seen, but the Jags should look to capitalize off of a team that is looking for its identity.
14. Week 15: at Oakland Raiders
Is it any surprise the Oakland Raiders are this far down on the list? The Jon Gruden led Raiders have no guarantee that receiver Antonio Brown will play this year. Helmets aside, the Raiders are in the midst of a re-build. How long it will take is anyone’s guess. Derek Carr seemed to have promise upon entering the league but is on the hot seat right now. This match up, at least on paper, is one of the more favorable ones for the Jags.
15. Week 13: vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers
This will be a late-season matchup against one of the other Florida teams. Jameis Winston has an important season ahead with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. It’s a contract year and he’ll be playing for his job. Winston normally provides decent fantasy stats, but will he be able to lead his team to victory late in the season on the road? The Bucs run game is an issue and that won’t help the young signal-caller. As for the Jags, Nick Foles could have a heyday against the Bucs porous pass defense.
16. Week Eight: vs New York Jets
This team looks familiar. The Jags played the New York Jets in Week Four of 2018 and they had their way with them. This will be Sam Darnold‘s sophomore campaign and Le’Veon Bell’s first year with the Jets. It’s hard to tell whether the Jets will improve under Adam Gase, but this home game could be a nice tune-up game before heading to London for a divisional matchup.
